Portable sign



W. H. NALSH PORTABLE SIGN Nov. 2, A1937.

Filed NOV. 6, 1936 Ovo SSTQID(7 R O T N E V m l m//mm H M/a/s/z ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. Y 2, 1937 UNITED STATS PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a sign, and more particularly to a sign to be carried by a blind person. An important object of my invention is to provide a sign upon which headlights of an oncoming automobile will shine When a person carrying the sign is crossing an intersection.

Another object of the invention is to provide means on the sign to indicate to a blind person that the wording on the sign faces outward.

A further object is to provide the last-mentioned means which at the same time affords mechanism for aliixing the sign to a cane.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description.

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a full view of an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on` the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a broken face View, showing a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an edge view of another modification, showing a cane in section and illustrating a caneclamping means in a clamping position in full lines and in a flattened position in broken lines.

Fig. 5 is a rear face View, looking in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 4, but with the cane removed and the clamping means shown in the position illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 4.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the reference number' 6 generally designates a board upon which a sign 'l is painted. The sign is illustrated in the drawing as consisting of the legend Stop, In the preferred form, the board is painted white and the legend is painted red. If desired, the legend may be formed with iridescent or reflective material or wet red paint when used to form the legend, may be dusted or sprinkled with iridescent or reflective particles, preferably red.

The board 6 has a hand opening 8 for carrying the board. Disposed alongside of the opening is a groove 9. The groove is on the side containing the safety legend l, whereby a blind person will know that the legend faces outward when he can feel the groove facing outward.

Another indicating means that may be used for the same purpose as that explained in connection with the groove 9 is la round vheaded tack I0. 'I'he head of the tack is, therefore, also on the legend side of the board 6.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, instead of cutting a hand opening in the body of the board I2 as in` the first form, a handle I3 has a grip I4 provided on the normally underside with finger rests I5. In this form, an abutment I6 is afforded at one end only of the grip I4. When carrying the board I2, if the blind person always grips the handle I3 in the right hand, the abutment iii will be between the thumb and forenger, whereby the person will know that the legend faces outward. The handle I3 is similar to a handle on an ordinary saw.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the means for indicating to a blind person which side of the board I'I bears the legend performs another function, to wit, such means may also be employed for clamping the board to a cane. Said means includes a recess I8 on the side of the board I opposite to that bearing the legend. The recess or groove I8 is adjacent a hand opening II, whereby the recess I8 may be used as indicating means for the purpose described.

The recess I8 is elongated with enlarged pockets I9 and 20 at the ends. A at band 2| is fastened in the recess I8 by a screw 22, the head of which is palpable, to indicate the side that bears the safety legend. One end of the band carries a hook 23. The other end of the band carries a tightening lever 24.

In use, the board may be carried by means of the hand opening 8 or the handle I3. One of the indicating means described is preferably employed to indicate to a blind person that the legend faces outward. When so carried, the legend will be a short distance above the persons knees, which is directly in line with the shining headlights of an oncoming automobile.

In the use of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the band 2I may remain in the recess I8 as an indicating means to a blind person that the legend is on the other side, or it may be wrapped around a cane 25 as indicated in Fig. 4 and locked in such position by the lever 24 clampingly engaging the hook 23.

It is believed clear without further illustration that means may be employed for fastening the hook 23 and the lever 24 respectively in the pockets I9 and 20, in the position shown in Fig. 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A portable sign comprising a board bearing a safety legend on a side thereof, a handle on the board, and an abutment at one end only of the handle, to indicate to a person carrying the sign the relative position of the safety legend.

2. A portable sgn comprising a board bearing a safety legend on a side thereof, a handle on the board, nger grooves on the handle, and an abutment at one end only oaf the handle, to- Wt, at an end of the portion bearing the nger grooves, to cause a person to carry the sign face outward by reason of placing ones ngers in said grooves and the abutment between the thumb and forenger and to make holding the handle in the opposite direction, with the abutment in the palm of the other hand, uncomfortable.

WILLIAM H. WALSH. 

